Reef Stalker

Stub-class article · First seen: s17 · Last seen: s17 (referenced)
Reef Stalker
the reef monstrosity
Portrait of Reef Stalker.
Character
StatusUnresolved (Off-Screen)
First seens17
Last seens17 (referenced)
FactionSapphire Sea fauna, Frost-zone creatures

The Reef Stalker is a creature of the cold-water reef-line fight on the Sapphire Sea in session 17, named once, when Mike’s History check of 16 identified “the creature that jumped on the skiff” as “a rather large monstrosity that has really powerful claws and bite attacks” [7]. No attack or turn is tied to it by name in the fight, and it is not mentioned when the fight resumes in session 18. Its fate is unknown.

Overview

The Reef Stalker is one of the creatures of the frost-zone reef line on the southern stretch of the Sapphire Sea, met on the second day of the sail south [6]. When the water erupted beneath the skiff, Mike’s History check named “the creature that jumped on the skiff” [2][7]. After that the DM called turns for the Rimeclaw Skulkers, “the one right next to it”, the water wolves and the giant worm without using the stalker’s name again, so nothing in play shows what the Reef Stalker did [8][9].

The wiki lists it beside the Brinemaw Wyrm, the Rimeclaw Skulkers and the Water wolves, as the players’ own recap of session 17 does [4]. The DM has not said which of the creatures in the fight is the stalker, or whether its name covers one of the others.

Appearance and demeanour

The DM’s one-line profile is all there is: “a rather large monstrosity that has really powerful claws and bite attacks” [7]. The reef line itself showed pale shapes among the rocks, one gripping the reef “with long claws” and lifting its head above the water, but the DM did not say which creature that was [10].

Abilities as played

None attributed. The eruption beneath the skiff knocked Caelumn, Steven and Mike prone [11], and the DM’s profile gives claws and a bite. No attack roll, damage or hit points are tied to the Reef Stalker by name.

Relationships

Notable quotes

“you recognize the creature that jumped on the skiff as a reef stalker.” — Nick (DM), [7]

History in the campaign

Session 17: New Hands, the Black Mask’s Renegotiation, and the Rimeclaw

Main article: Session 17

On the second day of the sail the sea turned cold; plates of frost drifted by, and at a reef line pale shapes showed among the rocks before something huge passed under the skiff and the water erupted [6]. Caelumn, Steven and Mike were thrown prone [2]. Mike’s History check of 16 named the creature that had jumped on the skiff as a reef stalker, “a rather large monstrosity that has really powerful claws and bite attacks” [3]. The DM then called turns for Rimeclaw Skulkers, water wolves and the giant worm that Mike trapped in Phantasmal Force, and did not use the stalker’s name again before the session stopped at the end of the second round [15][16].

Session 18: The Wyrm Falls, the Catfish Escapes, and Mike Dies on the Road

Main article: Session 18

The fight resumed at the top of session 18 with the Rimeclaw Skulker, the giant worm and Mike’s illusory box, and ended when Hugo took the skulker’s head and Steven’s dagger finished the worm [17]. The Reef Stalker is not named in play. The only mention is in the players’ recap of session 17, which lists “a reef stalker” among the four new monsters [4]. The DM closed with “the last shapes vanish beneath the reef” [5].

Status

As of session 18. Unresolved. It is not shown dying or leaving, and the DM’s closing line implies only that the remaining creatures dispersed [5]. The party swam to land and has moved inland, so it is unlikely to return. Open question for the DM: which creature in the fight was the Reef Stalker?

See also

References

  1. ^ Session 17, line 1568-1577: Trigger: temperature drops, frost plates on the water, reef line, the water erupts as a creature rises beneath the skiff.
  2. ^ Session 17, line 1587: Caelumn, Steven and Mike fall prone "as this creature erupts behind you".
  3. ^ Session 17, line 1597-1599: Mike History 16: "you recognize the creature that jumped on the skiff as a reef stalker. is a rather large monstrosity that has really powerful claws and bite attacks".
  4. ^ Session 18, line 103: The players' opening recap lists "a reef stalker" among the four new monsters of the frost zone.
  5. ^ Session 18, line 176: Encounter resolution: DM closing line "as the last shapes vanish beneath the reef, the water closes over it" implies all remaining hostiles dispersed or died; the Reef Stalker is not individually referenced in s18.
  6. ^ Session 17, line 1568-1570: Inline citation.
  7. ^ Session 17, line 1599: Inline citation.
  8. ^ Session 17, line 1604-1619: Inline citation.
  9. ^ Session 17, line 1782: Inline citation.
  10. ^ Session 17, line 1570: Inline citation.
  11. ^ Session 17, line 1570-1587: Inline citation.
  12. ^ Session 17, line 1595: Inline citation.
  13. ^ Session 17, line 1604: Inline citation.
  14. ^ Session 17, line 1616-1617: Inline citation.
  15. ^ Session 17, line 1604-1609: Inline citation.
  16. ^ Session 17, line 1987: Inline citation.
  17. ^ Session 18, line 119-172: Inline citation.
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